Marci Ward

I lived in a rich,
fancy house that
became a prison
of unspoken
recriminations.
In college I
was engaged to James,
who was only
with me because my
family name
could help further his
aspirations.
When he found out the
truth of what we
really were, he dropped
me with a cruel
efficiency. No
one would touch me
afterwards. Even
after I moved
far away to start
a new life, I
always feared people
could see my shame.
So I tried to stay
unobtrusive.
I succeeded, since
I died alone.